Performance Roseville Sneak Preview: Bike Shop Series #1

Well gang, we knew we had to get there. We had to start talking shop. Literally. So as we travel our blog journey together we will make stops at the local bike shops and give you a few nuggets, a few pics and maybe some new insight into your local bike shop scene. First stop, the brand spankin’ new Performance Bike in Roseville.

The GroveTribe managed to catch wind of the Roseville Performance shop’s preview night so we decided to go check it out.  As  we entered the door we were met with a table of snack trays and drinks and a second table with give-aways. Yes, we did enter the raffle, we have no shame and we always need another bike! *pause while we fill out entry forms* 

We barely had time to stuff our entries in the boxes when we were met with Sam Felts (Retail Operations Manager for Performance) and we got some highlights of the new format for the Performance shop. My first impression was it had a lot of REI-ish elements. The floorplan was more open (no more bikes down the center) and the colors departed from the blue we are used to and now we are met with soothing earthtones.  Of course, the “soothing” aspect is tempered with the multitude of huge halide lights hanging over-head -but that’s just nit-picking. Sam was pretty excited by the new shop but did say that he wished they could have scored another 1,500 sq. feet to include an interactive trainer and lounge. Well, maybe they can buy out the used book store next door….



Rows and rows of bikes! (There was more behind the camera.) 

This store marks the third location of Performance in our area (there is one in Sacramento on Howe and another in Fair Oaks off Madison) and one of many new locations opening for Performance across the country. I guess the low prices that many folks go to Performance for is why they are able to expand an empire in such a tough economy. I know there were times that we would love to go to our local shops but even with discounts they have a tough time matching the buying power of such a big chain. We were told that this is the first store of the “sixth incarnation” of Performance stores. Sounds like a movie series or something.

So brand spankin' new the paint is still wet! Now that's fresh!

We continued to peruse the store (okay, we could say that we were just there for the blog but you know we were shopping!) serenaded by the sounds of power tools and hammers as the finishing touches were being applied. Store Manager Bryan Stevinson took some time out to share his enthusiasm for the store and its relationship within the local cycling community (we talked a bit about the Hammerin’ Wheels group one we are happy to be members of). I was honestly surprised to hear a lot of mentions of the local cycling groups from the employees of this Performance, heck, even the Sales Manager Joey Larzelere is a SABA board member (more on them in a future blog).  Not sure why it surprised me, perhaps I had a bias thinking that only smaller shops were really community minded. You learn something new every day I guess.

 

Sales Manager Joey Larzelere makes sure Chris is legit. 

How will this store do in Roseville? Not sure. We have been trying to support more locally owned shops but in this economy it becomes harder and harder for folks to do so. This store has the advantage of being a large chain with large chain pricing. It helps that the folks seemed friendly (okay, but who isn’t friendly on a VIP preview night?) and the cool repair shop had my wife wistfully wishing it was in our garage. It makes me wonder, how do our readers feel about big chain stores vs. the “little guy” shops?

Hey! Look at that! There is a comments section down there! Scroll down just a bit… Ye-e-ep! There it is. You may have to log in to sound off but we would love to hear what you have to say. Do you shop big guy, little guy or somewhere in between?